Conor Hourihane struck with 13 minutes to go to send a fortunate and nervy Aston Villa past a battling Yeovil.
The midfielder arrived at the back post to slam the ball home after a weaving run from Albert Adomah.
It was something of an escape for the Championship side, as they were outplayed for long periods and breathed a huge sigh of relief when Alex Fisher missed a second-half penalty for the home side.
Level and goalless at the break, Villa improved afterwards and Glenn Whelan twice managed to get attempts at goal in a crowded penalty box.
Adomah’s trickery out wide began to cause Yeovil problems and when the winger landed a cross on the head of Ritchie De Laet the defender should have done better.
Yeovil then spurned a fantastic opportunity to go ahead just before the hour when they were awarded a penalty for pushing in the box at a corner.
Striker Fisher’s spot-kick lacked conviction and Jose Moreira was able to stop the ball to his left, before gathering ahead of the forward’s attempt to reach the rebound.
Villa sent on Jack Grealish shortly afterwards and he immediately had an impact when he hit the crossbar.
Hourihane then eventually made sure that Villa’s superior quality shone through.
His late goal won it, but the Midlands club certainly made hard work of it.
